Impact beating block



March 1967 T. T. PALMER IMPACT BEATING BLOCK Filed Aug. 12, 1964 AC on DC r23 t ap INVENTOR.

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A' -ro QMEY United States Patent 3,308,892 IMPACT BEATING BLGCK Thomas T. Palmer, 8224 Skyline Drive, Los Angeles, Calif. 90046 Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,134 Claims. (Cl. 173117) This invention relates to hand-held beating blocks, and more particularly to a hand-held impact beating block for use by tile setters and the like wherein an impact is periodically or cyclically delivered to a beating surface for use in setting tiles, linoleum and other similar slabs or sheets of material which are imbedded in, or secured on a flat surface by means of a cementitious material.

In the art of tile setting and in the laying of linoleum or parquet floors, it has been the practice to coat the surface with some sort of cementitious material, such as a contact cement, grout, or other special adhesives which are specifically designed for this purpose. The layer of adhesive is usually applied with a tool having a serrated edge and a layer is applied in as uniform a manner as possible. However, the thickness of the adhesive layer is not always uniform, and when the tile or other blocks of material are applied to the adhesive surface, they are not usually straight, flat and flush with other pieces which have been previously laid. In the past, a block of wood or other rigid material which will not injure or damagethe tile is placed on the surface, usually overlapping two or more pieces of tile, and the block is struck a series of light blows to set the tile straight and flush with the other tiles, and also to move it into the proper position, if it is not accurately aligned with the proper space between the adjacent tiles. This is a very slow and time consuming job which takes much patience and skill on the part of the tile setter.

Briefly stated, one preferred embodiment of the present invention consists essentially of a flat beating block made of wood or other appropriate material, which is rigid and strong and will not mar or damage tiles, asphalt, parquet or other types of floor covering on which it is used. If desired, a thin layer of resilient material such as rubber may be provided on the under surface of the wood block to act as a slight cushion and as a frictional surface to move the tile laterally, and also to provide further assurance that the surface of the tileor linoleum will not be damaged. A durable metal impact plate is securely attached to the upper surface of the beating block and is provided with a vertically extending pedestal or guide on which a relatively heavy solenoid is slidably mounted for limited vertical reciprocating movement. A spring or other means urges the solenoid in one direction, such as away from the impact block, and the solenoid is actuated periodically for movement in the opposite direction by a timed switching device. This timer may consist of a microswitch, which is closed for short intervals and opened for relatively longer intervals by one or more lobes of a cam on the shaft of a constant speed electric motor with the cam lobes contacting the roller on a lever type actuator arm on the microswitch.

One object of the present invention is to provide an impact beating block, wherein a series of light blows are delivered periodically to a rigid beating block, which may be held in contact with one or more tiles being laid in an adhesive coating on a flat surface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrically actuated impact beating block, which is rugged and lightweight, and which can be easily held in one hand and used by a craftsman skilled in the trade to imbed tile in an adhesive coating and move them into their proper positions in alignment with other tiles previously set by means of a series of blows at a relatively low frequency.

Patented Mar. 14, 1967 Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood with reference to the following detatiled description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional view with portions broken away and illustrating one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of one preferred wiring arrangement for the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and more particularly to FIGURE 1, one preferred embodiment of the impact beating block of the present invention is illustrated in operative position over a tile 12 which may be positioned in an adhesive 13 on the flat surface of a Wall or floor 14.

The impact beating block 11 consists essentially of a rigid block 15, which may be formed of wood, plastic or other similar material which will not mar the surface of a ceramic or asphalt tile or linoleum. For some installations block 15 may be formed with a convex or concave lower face. If desired, the beating block 15 may be provided with a thin layer of rubber, or other soft, flexible and resilient material 16 for particular applications.

A durable impact plate 17 is rigidly secured to the beating block 15 by a pair of brackets 18 and 19 on opposite sides thereof. The impact block 17 may be made of steel and is in the form of an inverted T-shaped with a vertical pedestal or guide portion 21 extending axially through the solenoid 22 and forming an armature inside of the winding or coil 23.

The pedestal 21 forms a portion of the flux path for the solenoid winding 23 and the balance of the flux path is formed by the rectangular core 25 which is rigidly connected to the winding 23 and also provides the weight necessary for the function of delivering a hammer blow or impact to the impact plate 17 during the downward movement of the solenoid 22.

The winding 23 and core 24 are maintained in the position shown in FIGURE 1 by a spring 25, which engages the top of the pedestal or vertical portion 21 of the impact plate 17, and also engages the upper portion of the rectangular core 24, in the neutral or static position, when the device is not operative.

During normal operation however, the coil 23 and the relatively heavy core 24 would be driven down into con tact with the impact plate 17 on a downward stroke, and then returned by the spring 25 to an upper position. A bolt 26 with an upper collar 27 and a lower collar 28 is threaded into the pedestal 21. Bolt 26 guides and also limits the vertical upward movement of-the winding 23 and core 24. However, the arrangement shown could be reversed with the spring urging the Winding 23 and core 24 toward the impact plate 17, and the winding 23 moving in the opposite direction when energized.

A constant speed electric motor 31 has an output shaft 32 provided with a cam 33' having three lobes 34, 35 and 36, as best shown in the sectional view of FIGURE 3.

The lobes 34, 35 and 36 contact a roller 37 to move the lever arm 38 for periodically actuating a microswitch 39 to make and break the contacts thereof at a particular low frequency.

For the particular intended use of the impact beating block of the present invention, it is desirable to provide a series of blows at a relatively slow repetition rate or low frequency. For example, if the motor 31 operates at 100 rpm. and three lobes are provided on the cam 33, the microswitch 39 will be operated at a frequency of five cycles per second. For this particular application in setting tile, a frequency or period from about one to thirty cycles per second is considered to be optimum. However, for other applications, lower or higher frequencies may be more desirable, but the device should not be operated at the relatively high frequencies of a vibrator, or similar types of devices, such as oscillating sanders and sabre saws.

Alternating current or direct current may be supplied to the device through the cable 41 which has wires 42 and 43 leading to the connector box 44, through a manual switch 45. Wires 46 and 47 extend from the connector block 44 to the motor 31, and another wire 48 goes to one terminal on the solenoid winding 23. A wire 49 extends from the terminal block 44 to the microswitch 39, and the wire 51 extends from the microswitch 39 to the other terminal on the solenoid winding 23.

The circuit connections are clearly shown in the schematic circuit diagram of FIGURE 4, where the AC. or DC. power is applied to the constant speed motor 31 through the manual on-off switch 45, and also to the solenoid 22, when the microswitch 39 is closed by one of the lobes on the cam 33. It will be apparent that other comparable timing means, such as brush contacts on the shaft of motor 31 may also be utilized.

Under some circumstances it will be desirable to vary the force of the impact applied to the impact block. This may be accomplished in a modification of the embodiments of the invention described above by provision of an adjustable rheostat or other means in general usage in the art, preferably in the circuit between microswitch 39 and solenoid 22.

The operation of the impact beating block of the present invention is relatively simple. The manual switch 45 is moved to the on position, and the motor 31 starts rotating at a relatively slow rate of speed, so that the cam 33 actuates the microswitch 39 at periodic intervals of about five cycles/second to energize the solenoid 22 for a short period of time during which the relatively heavy coil 23 and core 24 move downwardly with some force to strike the impact plate 17, thus transmitting the impact of the blow to the beating block 15. The housing is provided with a narrow upper portion 52 which may be grasped by the hand of the operator, or a large open handle (not shown) may be provided with which to grasp and apply the beating block to the tile surface.

The heating block is held against the tile rather lightly, so that the repeated blows will tap the tile into position, and if a lateral pressure is applied in one direction, the tile may be moved into its proper position with relation to the other tile which have already been set.

Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention may be made within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hand-held impact beating block comprising:

(a) a casing adapted to be held in the hand;

(b) a beating block secured to said casing;

(c) a solenoid mounted on said beating block within said casing and having a portion mounted for reciprocating movement perpendicular to said block;

((1) means for periodically energizing said solenoid to deliver a series of blows to said beating block.

2. A hand-held impact beating block comprising:

(a) a casing adapted to be held in the hand;

(b) a beating block secured to said casing;

(c) an impact plate mounted on said beating block;

((1) a solenoid positioned within said casing having a winding and a core mounted for reciprocating movement perpendicular to said impact plate;

(e) resilient means urging said solenoid in one direction of movement with respect to said impact plate;

(f) timing means for periodically energizing said solenoid;

(g) means for connecting a source of power through said timing means to said solenoid, whereby operation of said timing means will periodically actuate said solenoid for moving said solenoid in a direction opposite to the direction in which said solenoid is urged by said resilient means.

3. A hand-held impact beating block comprising:

(a) a casing adapted to be held in the hand;

('b) a beating 'block secured to said casing;

(c) an impact plate mounted on said beating block;

((1) a solenoid positioned within said casing having a winding and a relatively heavy core exteending around said winding mounted for reciprocating movement perpendicular to said impact plate;

(e) resilient means urging said solenoid in one direction of movement with respect to said impact plate; (f) timing means for periodically energizing said solenoid for moving said solenoid in a direction opposite to the direction to which said solenoid is urged by said resilient means.

4. A hand-held impact beating block comprising:

(a) a casing adapted to be held in the hand;

(b) a flat beating block secured to said casing;

(c) an impact plate mounted on said beating block and having a pedestal thereon;

(d) a solenoid positioned within said casing having a winding surrounding said pedestal and mounted for longitudinal reciprocating movement thereon, said solenoid also including a relatively heavy core extending around said winding to provide a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by said Winding;

(e) resilient means urging said solenoid in one direction of movement-with respect to said impact plate;

(f) timing means for periodically energizing said solenoid for movement in a direction opposite to the direction in which it is urged by said resilient means, whereby a series of blows are delivered to said impact plate and beating block.

5. A hand-held impact beating block comprising:

(a) a casing adapted to be held in the hand;

(in) a flat beating block secured to said casing;

(c) an impact plate mounted an said beating block and having a pedestal thereon;

(d) a solenoid positioned within said casing having a Winding surrounding said pedestal and mounted for reciprocating longitudinal movement thereon, said solenoid also including a relatively heavy core extending around said winding to provide a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by said winding;

(e) resilient means urging said solenoid in one direction of movement with respect to said impact plate;

(f) switching means connected to said solenoid;

(g) a timing motor adapted to actuate said switching means for periodically opening and closing said switch;

(h) whereby operation of said timing motor will periodically actuate said switching means and said solenoid for moving said solenoid in a direction opposite to the direction to which said solenoid is urged by said resilient means.

6. A hand-held impact beating block comprising:

(a) a casing adapted to be held in the hand;

(b) a flat rigid beating block secured to said casing;

(c) an impact plate mounted on said beating block and having a pedestal thereon;

(d) a solenoid positioned within said casing having a winding surrounding said pedestal and mounted for reciprocating longitudinal movement thereon, said solenoid also including a relatively heavy core extending around said winding to provide a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by said winding;

(e) resilient means urging said solenoid in one direction of movement with respect to said impact plate; (f) electrical switching means including a lever actuated microswitch;

(g) a timing motor adapted to operate said switching means for periodically opening and closing said switch;

(h) means for connecting a source of power to said timing motor and through said switch means to said solenoid, whereby operation of said timing motor will periodically actuate said switching means and said solenoid for moving said solenoid in a direction opposite to the direction in which said solenoid is urged by said resilient means.

7. A hand-held impact beating block comprising:

(a) a casing adapted to be held in the hand;

(b) a flat rigid beating block secured to said casing;

(c) a durable impact plate mounted on said beating block and having a pedestal thereon;

(d) a solenoid positioned within said casing having a winding surrounding saidpedestal and mounted for reciprocating longitudinal movement thereon, said solenoid also including a relatively heavy core extending around said winding to provide a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by said winding;

(e) resilient means urging said solenoid in one direction'of movement with respect to said impact plate;

(f) switching means including a lever actuated microswitch;

(g) a timing motor having a cam with at least one lobe adapted to engage said lever for periodically opening and closing said switch;

(h) a source of power connected to said timing motor and through said switching means to said solenoid, whereby operation of said timing motor will periodically actuate said switching means and said solenoid for moving said solenoid in a direction opposite to the direction to which said solenoid is urged by said resilient means.

8. In a hand-held impact beating block incorporating a beating block and electrically actuated reciprocating solenoid for periodically delivering an impact to said beating block, the improvement comprising means for increasing or decreasing the force of the impact of said solenoid on said beating block.

9. The invention described in claim 8 in which said means for increasing or decreasing the force of the impact of said solenoid on said beating block comprises an adjustable rheostat.

10. A hand-held beating block, comprising:

(a) a casing, having an upper housing adapted to be held in the hand and an open bottom;

(b) a rigid beating block secured to said casing and covering said open bottom;

(0) a durable impact plate mounted on said heating block and having a pedestal thereon;

(d) a solenoid positioned within said casing having a winding surrounding said pedestal and mounted for reciprocating longitudinal movement thereon, said solenoid also including a relatively heavy core extending around said winding to provide a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by said winding;

(e) resilient means urging said solenoid in one direction of movement with respect to said impact plate; (f) switching means including a lever actuated microswitch;

(g) a timing motor having a cam with at least one lobe adapted to engage said lever for periodically opening and closing said switch; and

(h) a source of power connected to said timing motor and through said switching means to said solenoid, whereby operation of said timing motor will periodically actuate said switching means and said solenoid for moving said solenoid in a direction opposite the direction to which said solenoid is urged by said resilient means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,341,944 6/1920 Study l731l7 2,588,006 3/ 1952 Hufnagel 173-1 17 3,067,657 12/ 1962 Wiekhorst 17 3128 3,154,689 10/1964 Bubbenmoyer 29038 3,248,555 4/1966 Fried 290-38 FOREIGN PATENTS 850,725 7/ 1949 Germany.

FRED C. MATTERN, JR., Primary Examiner.

L. P. KESSLER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A HAND-HELD IMPACT BEATING BLOCK COMPRISING: (A) A CASING ADAPTED TO BE HELD IN THE HAND; (B) A BEATING BLOCK SECURED TO SAID CASING; (C) A SOLENOID MOUNTED ON SAID BEATING BLOCK WITHIN SAID CASING AND HAVING A PORTION MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT PERPENDICULAR TO SAID BLOCK; (D) MEANS FOR PERIODICALLY ENERGIZING SAID SOLENOID TO DELIVER A SERIES OF BLOWS TO SAID BEATING BLOCK. 